Link Report for Wed. 4/16 - Big Innings Lift Sounds, Stars to Matinee Wins

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Richie Gardner at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 11:40 AM pre-game; 12:00 PM gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP David Welch at home vs. Chattanooga (Reds), 10:20 AM pre-game; 10:35 gametime

 

Audio link via WUMP (game will also archive at this link):

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559

 

Brevard County: RHP Donovan Hand at home vs. St. Lucie (Mets), 6:00 PM gametime

 

Sorry, no audio available for this Manatee series...

West Virginia: RHP R.J. Seidel at Asheville (Rockies), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime

 

Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link):

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens:

Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log" or "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often.

 

Nashville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_16_omaaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_16_cngaax_hunaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_16_sluafa_breafa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_16_wvaafx_ashafx_1

[Mass Haas]

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated several hours prior to gametime.

 

Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

[Mass Haas]

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Omaha 8 4 .667 - 5-2 3-2 W2 Memphis 6 7 .462 2.5 2-3 4-4 L2 Iowa 5 6 .455 2.5 2-4 3-2 L1 Nashville 2 11 .154 6.5 1-4 1-7 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 9 3 .750 - 4-1 5-2 W5 Tennessee 8 4 .667 1.0 5-2 3-2 W1 Huntsville 7 5 .583 2.0 6-1 1-4 L1 West Tenn 7 5 .583 2.0 4-1 3-4 L1 Chattanooga 6 6 .500 3.0 2-3 4-3 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jupiter 8 4 .667 - 6-0 2-4 L2 Palm Beach 8 4 .667 - 4-2 4-2 W1 Brevard County 7 5 .583 1.0 2-2 5-3 W2 Daytona 6 6 .500 2.0 4-4 2-2 L2 Vero Beach 5 7 .417 3.0 3-2 2-5 W2 St. Lucie 2 10 .167 6.0 2-5 0-5 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greensboro 8 5 .615 - 5-3 3-2 L1 Hickory 8 5 .615 - 3-2 5-3 L1 Lake County 7 5 .583 0.5 3-2 4-3 L1 Delmarva 6 6 .500 1.5 5-4 1-2 L1 Hagerstown 6 6 .500 1.5 2-1 4-5 W1 Lakewood 5 7 .417 2.5 3-4 2-3 W1 Lexington 3 10 .231 5.0 1-7 2-3 W1 West Virginia 3 10 .231 5.0 2-6 1-4 L5 

[biedergb]

Very different start for the organization this year. At this point last year (well not exactly to the day, but you get the point)...

 

"Re: Link Report for Friday 4/27/07

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings

-----------------------------------------------

Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK

-----------------------------------------------

Nashville 13 7 .650 - 7-4 6-3 L1

Iowa 10 10 .500 3.0 6-2 4-8 W1

 

Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings

------------------------------------------------

Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK

------------------------------------------------

Huntsville 9 10 .474 - 4-6 5-4 L1

Tennessee 9 10 .474 - 3-6 6-4 L4

 

Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings

--------------------------------------------

Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK

--------------------------------------------

Brevard County 11 8 .579 - 5-4 6-4 W4

Palm Beach 11 8 .579 - 5-5 6-3 W1

 

South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings

--------------------------------------------

Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK

--------------------------------------------

West Virginia 15 3 .833 - 11-3 4-0 W13

Greensboro 13 7 .650 3.0 11-3 2-4 W2 "

 

And the Brewers were off to the best record in baseball.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with First Baseman Brad Nelson

[bork]

Hopefully, the offensive outburts will be a trend for all the teams today.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 7, Chattanooga (Reds) 3

 

Huntsville Press Release:

HIGHEST SCORING INNING OF THE YEAR CAPS COMEBACK

 

Mat Gamel delivered the tie-breaking two run-single in a six-run seventh inning that carried Huntsville to a 7-4 comeback win over Chattanooga Wednesday morning and afternoon in the middle of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars pushed their record to 8-5 overall and 7-1 at home, while the Lookouts dropped to 6-7. After two nights of playing in cold, uncomfortable conditions, the teams played in brilliant sunshine with nary a cloud in the sky in much, much warmer temperatures.

 

Cody Strait started the game with a home run, his first of the year, and Alcides Escobar matched him in the bottom of the inning with his first long ball. Sean Henry then led off the second inning with his second home run in as many days to give the visitors a 2-1 edge. All four of Henry's hits in the series have been for extra bases.

 

Jose Castro's two-out, two-run single in the fourth pushed the Lookouts lead to 4-1 against Stars' starter David Welch, who gave up four runs on six hits over his 5 2/3 innings of work. Chattanooga starter Ramon Ramirez retired 11 batters in a row after a two-out double by Chris Errecart in the first and left after allowing just a run on three hits over five frames.

 

Errecart opened the seventh with a walk and singles by Matt LaPorta and Carlos Corporan loaded the bases against Carlos Fisher with nobody out. Freddy Parejo then doubled in two runs to cut the lead to one before an intentional pass to pinch-hitter Cole Gillespie reloaded the bases. Fisher then uncorked a wild pitch that permitted Corporan to score to tie the game. Mike Bell grounded out and Fisher was replaced by left-hander Pedro Viola, who walked the lefty-swinging Michael Brantley to fill the bases again. Derrick Lutz was then brought on to pitch and got Escobar to bounce into a force out at the plate for the second out. Gamel, who had grounded into an inning-ending twin-killing in the sixth, then grounded a 1-2 pitch into right field to score a pair before Escobar was able to score after Cody Strait's throw from right field sailed past Michael Griffin at third base. Gamel had been mired in a 1-for-20 slump before delivering the decisive blow.

 

Robert Hinton retired all four hitters he faced to earn his first win and was followed by E.J. Shanks, who set down the side in order in the eighth. Joe Bateman worked around a leadoff single by B.J. Szymanski, who extended his hitting streak to 12 games, to throw a shutout ninth inning to earn his third save.

 

The series continues Thursday night with left-hander Brae Wright taking the hill for Huntsville against Lookouts' right-hander James Avery. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

Cole Gillespie broke his slump Tuesday but only pinch-hit (intentional walk) today; OK, who snuck into Freddy Parejo's uniform (13-for-26, only three K's)? Matt LaPorta continues to see exclusive action in right field; always a bonus when Alcides Escobar goes "boom"...

 

Huntsville Game Log

 

Huntsville Bottom 7th

• - Chris Errecart walks.
• - Matt LaPorta singles on a ground ball to center fielder B. J. Szymanski. Chris Errecart to 2nd.
• - Carlos Corporan singles on a ground ball to left fielder Sean Henry. Chris Errecart to 3rd. Matt LaPorta to 2nd.
• - Freddy Parejo singles on a ground ball to left fielder Sean Henry. Chris Errecart scores. Matt LaPorta scores. Carlos Corporan to 3rd. Freddy Parejo to 2nd on the throw.
• - Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Cole Gillespie replaces Robert Hinton.
• - Carlos Fisher intentionally walks Cole Gillespie.
• - With Michael Bell batting, wild pitch by Carlos Fisher, Carlos Corporan scores. Freddy Parejo to 3rd. Cole Gillespie to 2nd.
• - Michael Bell grounds out, second baseman Luis Bolivar to first baseman Tonys Gutierrez.
• - Pitcher Change: Pedro Viola replaces Carlos Fisher, batting 3rd.
• - Defensive switch from second base to first base for Luis Bolivar.
• - Defensive Substitution: Drew M. Anderson replaces pitcher Carlos Fisher, batting 9th, playing second base.
• - Michael Brantley walks.
• - Pitcher Change: Derrik Lutz replaces Pedro Viola, batting 3rd.
• - Alcides Escobar grounds into a force out, third baseman Michael Griffin to catcher Christopher Denove. Freddy Parejo out at home. Cole Gillespie to 3rd. Michael Brantley to 2nd. Alcides Escobar to 1st.
• - Mat Gamel singles on a ground ball to right fielder Cody Strait. Cole Gillespie scores. Michael Brantley scores. Alcides Escobar scores. Mat Gamel to 3rd. Throwing error by right fielder Cody Strait.
• - Chris Errecart walks.
• - Pitcher Change: Justin Mallett replaces Derrik Lutz, batting 3rd.
• - Matt LaPorta lines out to left fielder Sean Henry.

 

 

[Mass Haas]

Final: Nashville 9, Omaha (Royals) 3

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Laynce Nix Photo, text follows --

 

Nix Grand Slam Highlights 9-3 Sounds Victory

NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds erupted for a season-high nine runs on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium in a 9-3 victory over the division-rival Omaha Royals.

 

Outfielder Laynce Nix was at the plate when seven of the Sounds' nine runs scored, although he was credited with only four RBIs due to Omaha's defensive gaffs. He provided the day's biggest highlight with a fifth-inning grand slam that keyed a six-run outburst in the frame.

 

All nine of Nashville's runs scored in unearned fashion following a pair of Royals errors.

 

Omaha rightfielder Damon Hollins put the visitors on the board in the top of the second inning with a one-out solo home run to left off Sounds starter Richie Gardner. It was the veteran's first longball of the season.

 

The Royals doubled the lead in the third with a two-out rally. After Gardner retired the first two batters of the frame, Shane Costa and Mike Aviles ripped back-to-back doubles to produce the game's second run.

 

The Sounds plated a season-high six runs in the bottom of the fifth against Omaha starter Kyle Davies to grab a 5-2 lead. All six runs in the frame were unearned following an error on Royals shortstop Angel Berroa.

 

Abraham Nunez put Nashville on the board when he drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk from to force in Brendan Katin from third. Nix (2-for-4) followed with an opposite-field grand slam to left, his second roundtripper of the year and the Sounds' first grannie of the season.

 

AUDIO: Laynce Nix Grand Slam

 

After Brad Nelson doubled, Russell Branyan singled him home to up the advantage to 6-2 and extend his hitting streak to a season-best five games.

 

Nelson has hit safely in 11 of his 12 games this season and Branyan has recorded a knock in 12 of 14 contests.

 

Nashville tacked on three more unearned runs in the seventh against the Omaha bullpen to stretch the lead to 9-2. Mel Stocker singled and Nunez drew a walk before Nix hit a ground ball single to right field that rolled under Hollins' glove, allowing all three runners to score.

 

The Royals closed out the afternoon's scoring in the ninth when third baseman Jason Smith belted his fourth home run of the year, a leadoff solo shot off Nashville reliever Luis Pena.

 

Gardner took a no-decision in his first start of the year for the Sounds. He allowed two runs on three hits over 2 2/3 innings of work, throwing 44 pitches (27 strikes) and striking out two batters. He departed following a scheduled pitch count.

 

Reliever Tim Dillard (1-0) earned the win following 3 1/3 scoreless innings behind Gardner. He allowed three hits and struck out two batters in the longest relief outing by a Nashville hurler this season.

 

Davies (1-1) drew his first loss of the year after allowing six unearned runs on five hits over his five innings of work for Omaha.

 

Sounds outfielder Brendan Katin went 0-for-4 to snap his season-best five-game hitting streak.

 

The teams continue the series with a 7 p.m. meeting on Thursday. Right-hander Nic Ungs (1-1, 3.72) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Omaha southpaw Tyler Lumsden (0-1, 5.87). It will be the season's first Thirsty Thursday at Greer Stadium.

 

Nashville Box Score

Mel Stocker on base three times -- he's playing with some confidence, it seems; Brad nelson still rockin' out with a 1.021 OPS...

 

Nashville Game Log

 

Nashville Bottom 5th

• - Vinny Rottino flies out to center fielder Shane Costa.
• - Brendan Katin reaches on throwing error by shortstop Angel Berroa. Brendan Katin to 2nd.
• - Adam Heether hit by pitch.
• - Ozzie Chavez strikes out swinging.
• - Mel Stocker singles on a ground ball to second baseman Mike Aviles. Brendan Katin to 3rd. Adam Heether to 2nd.
• - Abraham Nunez walks. Brendan Katin scores. Adam Heether to 3rd. Mel Stocker to 2nd.
• - Laynce Nix hits a grand slam (2) to left field. Adam Heether scores. Mel Stocker scores. Abraham Nunez scores.
• - Brad Nelson doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Chris Lubanski.
• -Russell Branyan singles on a line drive to left fielder Chris Lubanski. Brad Nelson scores.
• - Vinny Rottino grounds into a force out, third baseman Jason Smith to shortstop Angel Berroa to second baseman Mike Aviles. Russell Branyan out at 2nd.

[TheCrew07]

I wonder why Nelson always seems to get off to a hot start and then fade later in the year, here's hoping he keeps it going this year.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 5, St. Lucie (Mets) 4

In Viera, Darren Ford singled home Charlie Fermaint with one out in the bottom of the ninth to lead the Brevard County Manatees to a 5-4 come-from-behind win against the St. Lucie Mets Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Stephen Chapman led off the ninth with a home run to center field to tie the game at 4.

 

Lorenzo Cain and Andy Bouchie had two hits apiece for the Manatees (8-5). Shawn Ferguson (2-0) pitched a third of an inning to earn the win. Brevard County starter Donovan Hand allowed three earned runs in six innings, striking out five and walking two.

 

Lucas Duda homered for the Mets (2-11) -- Florida Today.

 

Brevard County Box Score

Walk-off wins always a treat; Shawn Ferguson did allow an inherited runner to score before recording the final out in the top of the 9th; Darren Ford on base three times, stole two bases, caught once (now 8-for-12 on the basepaths); Manatees with 11 base hits and five walks -- nice; clean defense, too...

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Asheville (Rockies) 7, West Virginia 2

 

West Virginia Press Release / Site:

 

POWER LOSING STREAK REACHES SIX

 

The Asheville Tourists used a four-run fifth inning at McCormick Field on Wednesday night to defeat the Power 7-2, sending the Power to their sixth straight loss.

 

Darrin Holcomb was the star of the game, going 4-for-4 with five RBI. Holcomb knocked in his first run with his first of two RBI doubles in the bottom of the first. Asheville took a 2-0 lead later in the first on Warren Schaeffer's RBI groundout. The Power cut the lead in half in the top of the third. Brent Brewer began the inning with a double and scored when Lee Haydel hit a ground ball to third that Schaeffer couldn't handle.

 

The Tourists answered quickly in the bottom of the third on Holcomb's second RBI double. Asheville did most of their damage in the fifth inning to pull away from the Power. Brian Rike smacked an RBI single to drive in the first run and Holcomb did the rest on a three-run homer, his second of the series. West Virginia scored their final run in the top of the sixth inning. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Curt Rindal grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to bring in Zelous Wheeler.

 

Connor Graham (1-2) struck out eight batters over five and two-thirds, allowing just a pair of runs on three hits to get the win, while R.J. Seidel (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs on three hits and issued five walks over four and a third.

 

The Power are 3-11 after the loss and the Tourists are 9-5 after the victory. Offensively, Brewer and Wheeler were the bright spots for the Power. Brewer went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk, while Wheeler went 2-for-3 as well with a pair of singles and a walk.

 

The Power will continue their four game series with Asheville Thursday night. Left hander Mike Ramlow (1-1, 4.50) will get the start for the Power and the Tourists will counter with right hander Bruce Billings (1-0, 6.75). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score

Not what we're expecting to see out of R.J. Seidel, nor Nick Tyson, for that matter, who had his own struggles and allowed two of Seidel's runners to score as well; Seidel also hit a batter and committed two errors on pickoffs; Zelous Wheeler and Brent Brewer each reached base three times; the 4-through-8 batters were 0-for-18 with two walks; Lee Haydel caught stealing for the 5th time already, we need to see better than 9-for-14 out of him; the Power runs scored on an error and a GIDP -- yeah, that sums up the Power offense right now...

 

West Virginia Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Omaha's errors help Sounds pick up a win

Nine runs scored but all unearned

By MAURICE PATTON

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

In Wednesday's game against Omaha, the Sounds scored a season-high nine runs- but didn't earn any of them.

 

Two Royals errors led to six unearned runs in the fifth inning and three in the seventh in the Sounds' 9-3 victory at Greer Stadium. Following Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Royals, the win evened the series and was the second for the Sounds in 10 games.

 

"It was nice that we took advantage of our opportunities," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "We've had some that we haven't taken advantage of. This time, we did; that's a good sign."

 

Nashville, which had scored a Pacific Coast League-low 35 runs in its first 13 games, had combined for nine or more runs just once in any three-game stretch this season. The Sounds totaled 10 runs in their three losses at Oklahoma last week.

 

On Wednesday, though, they recovered from an early 2-0 deficit in a big way.

 

Omaha extended the fifth inning on a two-base throwing error by shortstop Angel Berroa, and Abraham Nunez drew a two-out bases-loaded walk to set up Laynce Nix's grand slam. With the bases cleared, Brad Nelson doubled and scored on Russell Branyan's single to cap the six-run rally.

 

"We had a chance to get out of that inning," Omaha Manager Mike Jirschele said. "But we hit a guy, we give up a chopper and we walk one in. I thought Nunez did a good job drawing that walk with the bases loaded."

 

The six runs were as many as Nashville had scored in any game this year. Still, the Sounds added more - with more help from the Royals.

 

In the seventh, Mel Stocker led off with a base hit and Nunez walked before Nix hit a sharp ground ball into right field. Damon Hollins overran the ball, which rolled all the way to the fence, and all three Sounds scored before the next three hitters were retired in order.

 

Omaha added a run in the ninth on Jason Smith's solo homer but didn't advance another runner into scoring position.

 

"We've got to do a little more of what we did today," Kremblas said regarding the Sounds' offense, which saw six different players with at least one hit. "We've got to make (the opposition) work, make them make pitches, maybe suck some mental energy out of them and maybe we can take advantage."

 

What they said: "When you've won 3 out of 14 - maybe we need more day games, but it's not something I really look at. I don't pay attention to it." - Kremblas.

 

Another Nice Tennessean Photo Gallery

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Gardner throws just 44 pitches

By MAURICE PATTON

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Richie Gardner's first Sounds start was a short one, as anticipated.

 

Released out of the Cincinnati Reds organization at the end of spring training and signed by the Milwaukee Brewers on March 31, Gardner was on a pitch count for Wednesday's game against Omaha.

 

In his only previous Sounds appearance, Gardner worked a scoreless inning of relief April 11 at Oklahoma.

 

On Wednesday, the right-hander threw 44 pitches in 2 2/3 innings of an eventual 9-3 Sounds win, before giving way to Tim Dillard and three other relievers.

 

"We told Dillard he was following him," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "He was mentally ready. He did a good job, kept it down; Tim's usually up and all over the place. Gardner did a good job, too."

 

Gardner allowed three hits, one a solo homer, and struck out two.

 

Dillard allowed just three hits in 3 1/3 innings, with Mitch Stetter and Melqui Torres each working a scoreless inning before Luis Pena gave up a solo shot to Jason Smith in the ninth.

 

Something extra: Laynce Nix's grand slam was just the second non-solo home run of the season for the Sounds, who now have seven - the fewest in the Pacific Coast League. Nix's previous homer was a two-run blast April 8 against his former team, Oklahoma.

 

With his four RBIs, Nix matched his total coming into Wednesday and took over the team lead with eight, moving ahead of Brendan Katin's six.

 

Katin skatin': In his first start since Saturday's doubleheader against Iowa, Katin went 0-for-4 to end his team-leading five-game hitting streak. Katin had managed to extend his streak with a pinch-hit two-run single Sunday and a pinch-hit RBI triple Monday.

 

Russell Branyan, who singled to drive in Brad Nelson during the Sounds' six-run fifth inning Wednesday, now has the Sounds' longest hitting streak at five games. Branyan has hit safely in 12 of 14 games. Nelson, meanwhile, has hit in 11 of his 12 games, including his past three after having an eight-game streak snapped April 13.

 

On the run: While the Sounds' have been a little lacking in power, they've stolen 12 bases in 16 attempts. Mel Stocker and Nelson each had one Wednesday. Stocker leads the team with four - and is tied for fourth in the PCL with former Trevecca outfielder Bradley Coon, now with Salt Lake. For Nelson, it was his first steal in three tries this season.

 

Nashville's 12 steals trail only Round Rock in the PCL.

 

Must be the sun: The Sounds won for the third time in four games that have started before 6 p.m.; they are 0-10 in games starting at or after 6 p.m.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Stars refuse to snooze

Slow morning start turns into an afternoon victory

By BRAD SHEPARD

For The Huntsville Times

 

Between the buzzing hum and blaring horns, Joe Davis Stadium sounded like a cross between a European soccer game and a Hannah Montana show Wednesday morning.

 

The Huntsville Stars hosted several groups of schoolchildren for a 10:35 wake-up-and-play-ball special against Chattanooga. Mother Nature finally cooperated, and with the Stars rallying, so did the kids.

 

Behind chants of "Let's Go Stars, Let's Go," Huntsville came through with a six-run seventh inning to get a 7-4 comeback win over the Lookouts in front of a crowd of 1,862.

 

"That was nice," said shortstop Alcides Escobar, who went 2-for-4 with a home run in front of the field-day crowd. "It was good hearing them yell like that, then we came back for them, and everybody got hits."

 

Going into the seventh, the Stars (8-5) looked like they'd not yet woken up offensively, trailing 4-1. But behind four hits, four walks, a wild pitch and a throwing error by the right fielder, Huntsville broke through.

 

Chattanooga relievers Carlos Fisher, Pedro Viola and Derrik Lutz self-destructed, blowing starter Ramon Ramirez's sterling start.

 

The seventh started with a walk to Chris Errecart, and then Matt LaPorta and Carlos Corporan followed with singles. With nobody out, reserve left fielder Freddy Parejo got his second hit of the day with a two-run double down the third-base line off Fisher to pull Huntsville within one. The Stars then tied the game on a wild pitch.

 

"Freddy has got some (at-bats), and I think he's leading the team in hitting," Stars manager Don Money said. "He hit the ball hard four times today. He's a pretty free swinger, and you put him in there and ride him as long as you can when he's hitting like this."

 

Money said his fourth outfielder - who went 2-for-4 - may have earned another start tonight.

 

After Parejo's hit, Fisher couldn't stop the flood. Cole Gillespie was intentionally walked, and after Mike Bell made the first out of the inning, Viola came in. He walked Michael Brantley to load the bases for Escobar, who couldn't drive in any runs.

 

But with two outs, Mat Gamel gave Huntsville the lead with a two-run single off Lutz. A throwing error by Cody Strait on the play led to the sixth run.

 

"Everybody contributed," Gamel said. "We'd been kind of scuffling a little bit, but we came together and put something together there.

 

"One thing about this team is most of us broke in rookie ball together, and we always fight and don't give up. We're not going to let you steal a game from us."

 

Though Escobar didn't contribute in the comeback inning, he started the offense early, breaking through for the only run off Ramirez.

 

He tattooed a first-inning pitch over the left-field wall, and any display of power from Escobar is a welcome sign. The 21-year-old is one of the smoothest-fielding shortstops in all of professional baseball, but he's still developing as a hitter.

 

"I was waiting on a fastball, and I got one in the middle of the plate and put a good swing on it," Escobar said. "I'm certainly working on hitting all the time now."

 

Starter David Welch was up in the strike zone too much and didn't have one of his better days, but Robert Hinton (1-0), E.J. Shanks and Joe Bateman worked 31/3 scoreless innings to allow Huntsville to rally.